Salman Butt has the edge as Pakistan end 15 years of Aussie rule

Jubilant Pakistan fell over the winning line to record their first
victory over Australia after 13 successive defeats against them
stretching back 15 years.

Afterwards skipper Salman Butt suggested his new look attack may be
the best in world cricket.

During a nerve-jangling morning Pakistan lost four wickets in pursuit
of the 40 runs required and were lucky to escape a fifth when Kamran
Akmal's catch by Mike Hussey in the gully could not be confirmed by TV
replays.

Butt admitted he feared his side might be imploding but there was no
holding him afterwards.

'I'm very fortunate to have this bowling attack,' said Butt. 'If not
the world's best, they are among the top two or three.

'Mohammad Aamer is definitely among the world's best fast bowlers.
Mohammad Asif, with the new ball is the best fast bowler I have seen for
a long time, since Glenn McGrath.

'It was a bit nerve-racking but thank God we won in the end. My
young bowlers have been doing a wonderful job. Hopefully this won't go
to their heads, they'll continue to learn and keep calm and work even
harder.

'There is nothing like beating India, but winning against the
world's best is an achievement for this young team. This is a new
beginning for Pakistan cricket and I dedicate the victory to the people
of Pakistan.'

Captain fantastic: Pakistan's Salman Butt is looking to the future

Butt was non-committal about the prospects of drafting in Mohammad
Yousif or Younis Khan, whose life bans have recently been rescinded.

Younis is the player most likely to be recalled, as long as a recent
row with the current tour manager Yawar Saeed is forgiven.

When asked if Australia would be backing Butt's players to do a
pre-Ashes softening job on England, Australia captain Ricky Ponting
said: 'Let's hope so.'

But after extolling the merits of the Pakistan attack, led by the
impressive 18-year-old left-armer Aamer, Ponting suggested they
still were not good enough to beat England.

He said: 'Their attack is
very, very good. Asif is perfectly suited to English conditions. He
stands the seam up straight and swings the ball a little both ways and
that is what you need here.

'Aamer continues to improve. Not only does
he have good pace up his sleeve and the ability to swing the ball but he
thinks about the game with a maturity that seems beyond his age.

'You know what you're going to get with Umar Gul and Danesh Kaneria
is a world-class leg-spinner.

'But I actually think England will win. If you look at their side
they are probably a more complete team than Pakistan.'

Tipping England: Ricky Ponting

Aussie legend Shane Warne admitted: 'England have the best chance to
win the Ashes in Australia in the 20 years since I started playing.

'They are a very well-balanced side with a lot of variety in their
bowling and they have an attacking spinner in Graeme Swann, who I think
is the most improved bowler in world cricket.

'I still think Australia will win because, even though results
haven't been so good recently, they are very tough to beat at home. But
England definitely have a big chance.'

Former England captain Bob Willis agrees. 'I don't think the England
batsmen would be quaking in their boots about the prospect of facing
this particular Australian attack,' he said.